Plumb bob



A ril 9, 1929. v. -r. POWELL PLUMB 808 Filed Feb. 12, I926 K5650) TPwrell MW 1 mm him ATTORN EY Patented vApr. 9, 1929.

UNITED STATES VICTOR THOMAS POWELL, F SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA.

PLUMB IBQB.

Application filed February This invention relates to plumb bobs and K has for its object the provision of a device of this character equipped with a suspension string or cor-d and provided with means whereby the cord may be lengthened or shortened to meet different working conditions. 7'

Another object of the invention is to pro vide a plumb bob equipped internally with means for effecting shortening of the suspension cord, the meansrbeing entirely enclosed but operable from the exterior.

An additional object is to provide a device of this character which will be simple and inexpensive in manufacture, easy to adjust, positive inaction, efficient aand durable in service, and a general improvement in the art.

With the above and other objects and advantages in View, the invention consists in the details of construction and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which: i Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device, Figure 2 is a view partly in elevation and partly in longitudinal section,

Figure 3 is a cross section on the line 33 of Figure 2, and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the drum removed.

Referring more particularly to the drawings I have shown the device as comprising a body 10 which is preferably cylindrical and which terminates in a point 11 as is customary in plumb bobs. the body is chambered at 12 and is formed with a threaded portion 13 of reduced size upon which is screwed a cap 1 1 formed with an extension 15 within which is rotatably mounted a tube 16 carrying a knob or button 17 above the extension 15.

Located within the chamber 12 and thread ed onto or otherwise secured to the lower end of the tube is a spool or drum 18 having a bore 19 therein alining with the bore of the tube 16. The drum or spool is peripherally grooved or channeled for the accommodation of the suspension cord 20 which is threaded 5 through the tube 16 and bore 19 and which The upper end of" 12, 1926. Serial No. 87,868.

has one end passed through a hole 21 in the spool or drum and knotted or otherwise secured against displacement. At one side the reduced portion 13 is apertured at 22 and formed with a guide 23 over which the cord is trained as clearly shown in Figure 2.

The upper portion of the spool or drum is of suflicient diameter to extend partly over the end of the reduced portion 13 upon which it bears, friction being assisted by a spring washer 24 which encircles the tube 16 and which bears against the underside of the cap and the top of the drum or spool.

In the use of the device, it is apparent that by grasping the knob or button 17 and turning it in one direction or the other the spool or drum will be rotated to wind in or pay out the cord, the length thereof being consequently regulable at will. will be of distinct advantage in certain lines of work as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

While I have shown and described a pre ferred embodiment of the invention, it

should be understood that I reserve the right to make such changes in the form, construction and arrangement of parts as will not depart from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described the invention. I claim:

1. A plumb bob comprising a body having a reduced portion at its upper end and formed with a chamber, the reduced portion being apertured to define a guide, av cap d tachably engaged upon said reduced portion a tube rotatable through the cap and carry ing an operating button, a spool secured to the tube within the chamber, a cord threaded through the tube and secured to and wrapped about the spool, the upper portion of the spool bearing upon said extension, and a spring'interposed between the cap and the spool.

2. A plumb bob comprising a body having a reduced threaded portion at its upper end and terminating in its lower end in a point, the upper portion of the body being formed with a chamber, a cap screwed upon said threaded reduced portion and provided with Naturally this 1 an axial extension, a tube rotatably mounted spool and the cap for urging said flange into Within said extension and carrying an opfrictional engagement With said reduced porerating knob exteriorly thereof, a spool setion said spool being adapted to have secured 10 cured on said tube Within said chamber, said thereto a cord that extends through said tube ysp001-having an upper flange engaging upon and a guide for said cord.

the upper end of said reduced threaded por- In testimony whereof: I- afiix mysignature. tion, spring means interposed between the VICTOR THOMAS POWELL. 

